Apparently June hates life. MJ, Farrah, BILLY MAYS and Ed. The only one that gets to me, though, is the Master of Insomniacs. A freak accident. Tragic, really.
I feel like MJ has been dead since before I was born. He was not human.
Farrah had cancer. Sad, but not too sad. Lots of people die from cancer.
Ed was old. Old people die.
Also, June 28th was my dad's birthday. Of course, he didn't die in June, but the birthday thing just makes me think about him.
I wonder who the Academy Awards will forget in their annual montage of the corpsicles. We'll see.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Favorites
Favorite movie: Road to Perdition
Favorite dinner: Birthday dinner. Chicken Kiev, mashed taters, corn and a drink of my choosing.
Favorite place: Home
Favorite job: Paper route
Favorite show: Dexter
Favorite thing to argue about: Music
Favorite sport: Baseball
Favorite game: Apples to Apples
Favorite pastime: Soaking up information for random factoidal regurgitation and proving myself right
Favorite dinner: Birthday dinner. Chicken Kiev, mashed taters, corn and a drink of my choosing.
Favorite place: Home
Favorite job: Paper route
Favorite show: Dexter
Favorite thing to argue about: Music
Favorite sport: Baseball
Favorite game: Apples to Apples
Favorite pastime: Soaking up information for random factoidal regurgitation and proving myself right
"Wear the old coat and buy the new book." - Austin Phelps
Long post time. All of these are graphic novels. I'm trying to win that bet with Alexa. It's looking good for me.
The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home. More about the childhood of Roland Deschain, the creation of Stephen King. This story was never written by Stephen King. It's an original story by the author of the Dark Tower concordance. It was fairly interesting. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is unfamiliar with the tale of Roland, though. 4/5
All Star Superman, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. After reading so many comics this past month the ones I read at the beginning are becoming a blur. This was an interesting, if short-lived, excursion into the life of Superman by one of today's preeminent comic book writers, Grant Morrison. It begins with a seemingly innocuous life-saving mission by Superman. He saves a scientific expedition from imminent death by way of running into the sun. This intense exposure to the suns yellow rays causes Superman's cells to explode. (Of course, everyone knows Superman gets his powers from the rays of a yellow sun.) This was all an ingenious plan by Lex Luthor. As Superman discovers that he is dying he sets off on his own version of the Twelve Labors of Hercules. It was a really interesting concept that felt a little rushed and incoherent at times. Even so, I really enjoyed it. The self-contained story arc definitely helped. You can jump right in and know what's going on; a must for successful graphic novels. 5/5
Batman: Year 100. This was horrible. The artwork was doo doo. The story was dense. The dialogue made me want to burn the book (good thing it belongs to the library). It's set in the future. Of course this future is totalitarian (always is, isn't it). Batman fights the fascists. Batman cracks some skulls. Batman has fake teeth to make him look more like a bat. Lame. Batman doesn't need fake teeth to scare people. 2/5
Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul. Another one by Grant Morrison. I suppose I would expect more from him considering his work on Superman. The dialogue was cheesy. Apparently Batman has a son and his son SUCKS. He might be one of my mortal enemies. Ugh. Kind of hard to get through for that reason. The fact that the story of Ra's al Ghul is interesting definitely saved this one. 4/5
Green Arrow: Quiver. I had never read a Green Arrow comic before, but I may seek more after reading this one. Spoilers ahead. Just a warning. Green Arrow was killed at some point (not covered in the graphic novel). He comes back. But he has no soul. The soul of Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) decided to stay in Heaven. So the Green Arrow on Earth is merely a husk. A man involved in the occult plans to move his soul into the body of the Green Arrow husk. This one had me reading when I should have been sleeping for more than one night. It was just suspenseful and I found myself needing to know what the heck was going on. It was just great. 4/5
Eternals. Neil Gaiman took over the story of legendary comics writer Jack Kirby in this seven-part series. The Eternals were put on Earth as demi-gods by near-omnipotent aliens called the Celestials. The Eternals have helped shape humanity through the ages while fending off their foil race, the Deviants. An interesting concept in the hands of the ever-creative Neil Gaiman made for a very enjoyable read. It dealt with moral issues, deity issues and more. It made for some great ruminating for days after. 5/5
New Avengers: Illuminati. This one has Skrulls in it. Doesn't get much better than that. 5/5
Absolute Batman: The Long Halloween. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were heavily influenced by this year-long comic run. That's all I have to say. 5/5
Absolute Kingdom Come. This three-part series takes place in the future. Superman has quit being a superhero and has isolated himself in his Fortress of Solitude. Batman runs Gotham's crimefighting unit of Bat-bots from his Batcave. The new breed of superheroes just blows up everyone and everything in their pursuit of bringing the "bad guys to justice." When Kansas is leveled by the Atom giving off all his nuclear power after being split open, Superman returns. There is a large conflict that results in many of today's and tomorrow's superheroes becoming dust. Fits my mold of doom and gloom. Loved it. 5/5
The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home. More about the childhood of Roland Deschain, the creation of Stephen King. This story was never written by Stephen King. It's an original story by the author of the Dark Tower concordance. It was fairly interesting. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is unfamiliar with the tale of Roland, though. 4/5
All Star Superman, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. After reading so many comics this past month the ones I read at the beginning are becoming a blur. This was an interesting, if short-lived, excursion into the life of Superman by one of today's preeminent comic book writers, Grant Morrison. It begins with a seemingly innocuous life-saving mission by Superman. He saves a scientific expedition from imminent death by way of running into the sun. This intense exposure to the suns yellow rays causes Superman's cells to explode. (Of course, everyone knows Superman gets his powers from the rays of a yellow sun.) This was all an ingenious plan by Lex Luthor. As Superman discovers that he is dying he sets off on his own version of the Twelve Labors of Hercules. It was a really interesting concept that felt a little rushed and incoherent at times. Even so, I really enjoyed it. The self-contained story arc definitely helped. You can jump right in and know what's going on; a must for successful graphic novels. 5/5
Batman: Year 100. This was horrible. The artwork was doo doo. The story was dense. The dialogue made me want to burn the book (good thing it belongs to the library). It's set in the future. Of course this future is totalitarian (always is, isn't it). Batman fights the fascists. Batman cracks some skulls. Batman has fake teeth to make him look more like a bat. Lame. Batman doesn't need fake teeth to scare people. 2/5
Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul. Another one by Grant Morrison. I suppose I would expect more from him considering his work on Superman. The dialogue was cheesy. Apparently Batman has a son and his son SUCKS. He might be one of my mortal enemies. Ugh. Kind of hard to get through for that reason. The fact that the story of Ra's al Ghul is interesting definitely saved this one. 4/5
Green Arrow: Quiver. I had never read a Green Arrow comic before, but I may seek more after reading this one. Spoilers ahead. Just a warning. Green Arrow was killed at some point (not covered in the graphic novel). He comes back. But he has no soul. The soul of Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) decided to stay in Heaven. So the Green Arrow on Earth is merely a husk. A man involved in the occult plans to move his soul into the body of the Green Arrow husk. This one had me reading when I should have been sleeping for more than one night. It was just suspenseful and I found myself needing to know what the heck was going on. It was just great. 4/5
Eternals. Neil Gaiman took over the story of legendary comics writer Jack Kirby in this seven-part series. The Eternals were put on Earth as demi-gods by near-omnipotent aliens called the Celestials. The Eternals have helped shape humanity through the ages while fending off their foil race, the Deviants. An interesting concept in the hands of the ever-creative Neil Gaiman made for a very enjoyable read. It dealt with moral issues, deity issues and more. It made for some great ruminating for days after. 5/5
New Avengers: Illuminati. This one has Skrulls in it. Doesn't get much better than that. 5/5
Absolute Batman: The Long Halloween. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were heavily influenced by this year-long comic run. That's all I have to say. 5/5
Absolute Kingdom Come. This three-part series takes place in the future. Superman has quit being a superhero and has isolated himself in his Fortress of Solitude. Batman runs Gotham's crimefighting unit of Bat-bots from his Batcave. The new breed of superheroes just blows up everyone and everything in their pursuit of bringing the "bad guys to justice." When Kansas is leveled by the Atom giving off all his nuclear power after being split open, Superman returns. There is a large conflict that results in many of today's and tomorrow's superheroes becoming dust. Fits my mold of doom and gloom. Loved it. 5/5
Something harmfuler and deadlier
A couple more mortal enemies.
Wet socks. I agree with Lieutenant Dan. "There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks. Cushioned sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry. When we're out humpin', I want you boys to remember to change your socks whenever we stop. The Mekong will eat a grunts feet right off his legs."
Poison. It can kill me.
Rock'n'Roll McDonald's. Because they sell Quarter Pounders. They will put pounds on you.
Wet socks. I agree with Lieutenant Dan. "There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks. Cushioned sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry. When we're out humpin', I want you boys to remember to change your socks whenever we stop. The Mekong will eat a grunts feet right off his legs."
Poison. It can kill me.
Rock'n'Roll McDonald's. Because they sell Quarter Pounders. They will put pounds on you.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Something harmful or deadly
I have many mortal enemies. Here are a few.
Amphibians. They are just plain disgusting. I have batrachophobia. It's real. I can't explain why I'm afraid of them, but I feel like I'll have a heart attack when I see one. I would post a picture but when I looked at them I freaked out.
Wind. It's like God. But it sucks. I would post a picture but I don't think you'd see it.
The sun (sometimes). It seems like the sun wants to kill me when I'm driving. Also, skin cancer.
I guarantee there are more. I'll post them when I remember them.
Amphibians. They are just plain disgusting. I have batrachophobia. It's real. I can't explain why I'm afraid of them, but I feel like I'll have a heart attack when I see one. I would post a picture but when I looked at them I freaked out.
Wind. It's like God. But it sucks. I would post a picture but I don't think you'd see it.
The sun (sometimes). It seems like the sun wants to kill me when I'm driving. Also, skin cancer.
I guarantee there are more. I'll post them when I remember them.
Life in general(ities)
Many things have happened in the last month that are blog-worthy. I'm just too lazy and haven't had the urge to write. (Story of my blog, I suppose). I got married, moved out of the house, got bedroom furniture, somehow hurt my back and my foot is getting better. Cleverness eludes me. Maybe it's fatigue, maybe it's laziness. Life is going pretty well. Work is okay and money isn't that much of an issue (which is always weighing on my mind). I can see my wife whenever I want to (almost) and I can just be with her without having to leave at night. It's pretty great.
Aside: I picked up my bass for the first time in about 3 weeks. My fingers don't work anymore. It's pretty disconcerting. More practice is needed.
I have a bet with Alexa right now. She claims I can't read the slew of comic books I've gotten from the library in the past few weeks before they're due. If I lose I have to take Lucy out and feed her in the morning and evening. If I win she has to do the dishes by herself for a week. I hope I win. I hate waking up in the morning and taking the dog out. And dog poop is not my friend.
Aside: I picked up my bass for the first time in about 3 weeks. My fingers don't work anymore. It's pretty disconcerting. More practice is needed.
I have a bet with Alexa right now. She claims I can't read the slew of comic books I've gotten from the library in the past few weeks before they're due. If I lose I have to take Lucy out and feed her in the morning and evening. If I win she has to do the dishes by herself for a week. I hope I win. I hate waking up in the morning and taking the dog out. And dog poop is not my friend.
Book of the month
Shame on me. I only read one book this month. And it wasn't even really a book. It was a graphic novel called The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born. It's basically a retelling of the Stephen King saga about Roland Deschain and his quest for the Dark Tower.
The comic book format was interesting because I've already read the actual novels. The artists renditions of the characters didn't exactly fit what I imagined them to be, but it gave an intriguing perspective.
The series is going in chronological order starting in Roland's childhood. The novels were in no way chronological. Yet another interesting perspective. Reading this comic definitely rekindled my interest in writing a novel someday. It also rekindled my interest in reading the first four books of the Dark Tower series. I'll pass on the last three books. They were drivel. 4/5
The comic book format was interesting because I've already read the actual novels. The artists renditions of the characters didn't exactly fit what I imagined them to be, but it gave an intriguing perspective.
The series is going in chronological order starting in Roland's childhood. The novels were in no way chronological. Yet another interesting perspective. Reading this comic definitely rekindled my interest in writing a novel someday. It also rekindled my interest in reading the first four books of the Dark Tower series. I'll pass on the last three books. They were drivel. 4/5
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